Where to stay in Bologna – A Guide to The Italian Food Capital
Benvenuti a Bologna, historical cradle of Emilia Romagna and gastronomic capital of Italy. This city in northern Italy is famous for its impressive architecture, for being a university town and, most of all, for being the gastronomic capital of Italy. In this post, we will unveil the best areas to stay in Bologna.
Nicknames “La Rossa” (the Red One), Bologna is a city rich in history and culture. This city retains its historic porticos, luxurious palaces, some of its ancient watchtowers, its food markets, and some of the most beautiful churches, museums, and galleries in the country.
When it comes to climate, summers (June – August) are very hot and humid, while winters (December –February) are cold. Peak travel time in the city lasts from spring to December. Late March and early April is probably the best time to visit Bologna. The temperatures are nice and, unless it’s Easter week, most tourists haven’t arrived yet.
Transport around Bologna is effective, thanks to its bus system, which reaches practically every corner of the city. Regional and long-distance trains (including Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa high-speed trains) from Bologna Centrale connect Bologna with many of the other important Italian cities to the south and north. Taxis are also widely available in the city.
Accommodation options in Bologna are varied and relatively affordable for Italian standards. Student residences are usually much cheaper than traditional hotels, but they are only available during university holidays.
The best area to stay in Bologna is, without a doubt, its lively Centro Storico. See accommodation in Bologna’s Old Town.
This is a guide with the best districts to stay in Bologna.
Located in the historical centre of Bologna, The Art Hotel Commercianti offers free breakfast, free WiFi throughout. It is next to the San Petronio Basilica and the Fountain of Neptune. Bike hire is also free. All the rooms include a satellite TV, air conditioning and a safe.
The Best Areas to stay in Bologna, Italy
1. Recommended area: Centro Storico
Centro Storico, Bologna’s Old Town and historic quarter is the best area to stay in Bologna.
Centro Storico is one of the most beautiful historic quarters in italy.
Centred around Piazza Maggiore and its world-famous Neptune’s Fountain, Bologna’s Old Town is an intricate maze of narrow medieval streets full of charm and colour.
Centro Storico is also home to Piazza VIII Agosto, a very commercial square full of shops, traditional food places and, on Fridays and Saturdays, home to the Piazzola Food Market.
Centro Storico is the best district to stay in Bologna if you want to sample delicious food, go shopping or admire stunning architecture.
As expected, accommodation options in Centro Storico tend to be more expensive than anywhere else in the city, but you can still find some cheap hotels and B&Bs. Booking in advance is highly recommended.
Why we love this area:
- True heart of the city
- Amazing architecture
- Accessible on foot
- Great shopping and the best food
- Very accessible from anywhere in town
- All types of accommodation
Accommodation in this area
-
Top Choice
Art Hotel Novecento
Art Hotel Novecento offers elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi, a rich breakfast and a convenient location in the center of Bologna. The Bologna Towers are a 5-minute walk away and the property offers free bicycle rental.
-
Budget
MyRoom Palazzo Pepoli
MyRoom Palazzo Pepoli offers accommodation with free WiFi access in Bologna, 300 meters from Piazza Maggiore and 500 meters from Via Zamboni. It is within walking distance of Via Indipendenza, MAMbo and the church of San Giacomo Maggiore.
-
Luxury
Hotel Corona d’Oro
The Hotel Corona d’Oro is located in the heart of the city of Bologna. The towers of Bologna are a few steps away. A varied free breakfast buffet is served. In addition, there is free wired or WiFi internet connection.
2. Around Bologna Centrale Railway Station
More than 159 thousand people pass through it daily, making it the fifth-largest train station in all of Italy.
Bologna Centrale has direct connections with Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice or Rimini, among other important cities in the Italian peninsula.
It also offers regional services to several cities and towns within Emilia Romagna and neighboring Tuscany.
Staying in this area has its advantages, above all because it is cheaper than the central area, in addition, having 500 trains and urban and extra-urban bus lines ensures an efficient transport throughout the entire city and around.
From Bologna Centrale, you can reach Piazza Maggiore in 20 minutes on foot.
This is an excellent area to stay in Bologna if you are looking for economy and at the same time being close to everything.
Why we love this area:
- Budget hotels
- Close to Centro Storico
- Activity 24/7
- Easy connections to other towns and cities
Accommodation in this area
-
Top Choice
Mercure Bologna Centro
The Mercure Bologna Centro is located opposite Bologna Central Station and offers air-conditioned rooms, a garden and free Wi-Fi. The MAMbo Museum is a 10-minute walk away. It includes a flat-screen satellite TV, a minibar and a bathroom with a hairdryer.
-
Budget
L.T. Schneider B&B
L.T. Schneider B&B is located in Bologna, just 15 minutes walk from the central station of the city. This bed and breakfast has free WiFi access and a private or shared bathroom. In addition, the establishment has several stores.
-
Luxury
NH Bologna De La Gare
This NH hotel is located just 300 meters from Bologna’s central train station, in the commercial area of the city, and offers free Wi-Fi. It offers a buffet breakfast and rooms with a minibar and satellite TV.
3. Around Bologna Fairgrounds (Fiera di Bologna)
When it comes to business, this area is ideal for any business traveller, as it is close to the convention, exhibitions and congresses centre.
Although it is a little far out from Bologna city centre, this area offers business hotels which tend to be much cheaper than the ones found in Centro Storico.
If you aren’t travelling to Bologna for business, the good news is that hotels in this area have excellent services at affordable prices, so you can also stay here and move to the Centro Storico for some sightseeing by bus or rental car.
Bologna’s main train station is approximately 2 km away from Centro Storico and public transport to this area is efficient.
Why we love this area:
- Great for business travellers
- Business style hotels
Accommodation in this area
-
Top Choice
Novotel Bologna Fiera
Novotel Bologna Fiera offers an outdoor pool, a gym, a restaurant and elegant rooms with free Wi-Fi. The hotel is next to the Bologna ring road, 2 minutes from the BolognaFiere exhibition center.
-
Budget
Hotel Michelino Bologna Fiera
Hotel Michelino Bologna Fiera is located just 200 meters from the main entrance of the Bologna Exhibition Center and 300 meters from the A14 motorway. It offers modern rooms with free Wi-Fi, as well as free parking.
-
Luxury
Savhotel
Savhotel offers free WiFi access and is 500 meters from the Fiera di Bologna exhibition center. The rooms have a 43 “LED TV with premium channels, comfortable beds and wooden floors.
Read this in other languages
|ES| Dónde alojarse en Bolonia, Italia.
